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Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM)

Boulder Building One

Consultation to Date

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in consultation with the Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation of Colorado History (SHPO) determined in 2016 that Building 1, also known of as the Central Radio Propagation Laboratory (built 1954, 1959 and 1962) on the Boulder, CO Department of Commerce Boulder Laboratories campus, is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criteria A and C.

An integral and active research center supporting the NIST scientific mission, future facility improvements and modifications (undertakings) to Building 1 shall now be subject to design review through the federally established Section 106 consultation process [36 CFR PART 800]. To help guide that process, to establish a baseline building condition survey, as well as to minimize potential adverse impacts of future undertakings, NIST in cooperation with the SHPO and the City of Boulder developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that stipulated the development of an Historic Structures Report (HSR) and a series of Preservation Zone Maps for Building One.

Following is a thorough on-site condition survey, a review of the original drawings, and archival photographs professional architectural historians and preservation architects completed the HSR and building Preservation Zone Maps in July 2018. They are available for review here:

Historic Structure Report - July 2018

Appendix A - Boulder Laboratories Historic Assessment Report - April 2016
Appendix B - Original Construction Drawings
Appendix C - Building Photos -2018
Appendix D - Building Preservation Zone Maps
Appendix E - Preservation Briefs 1-41 by National Park Service

Recent Developments

While the HSR and Zone Maps were being prepared, NIST developed Schematic Designs for the much needed renovation of Wings 4, 5 and a portion of the Building 1 spine, all in accord with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (codified in 36 CFR 67). Despite the design's overall sensitivity, frequent refinement, and thoughtful treatment of extant building fabric and character defining features, NIST determined, in accord with its Section 106 responsibilities, that the Schematic Design poses the potential for Adverser Effect(s). The SHPO concurred with NIST's determination. To that end, on June 27, 2018, NIST convened a meeting of potential Consulting Parties at the Boulder campus. As a result of the suggestions made at this meeting, NIST is preparing a draft MOA for review and comment by the consulting (NIST, SHPO) and the concurring parties (City of Boulder and Historic Boulder). The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation elected not to participate in its development. The Agenda and Notes from that meeting are posted below. A draft of the MOA is being developed and will be posted on this site.

Consulting Parties Meeting Agenda

Consulting Parties Meeting Notes

Created August 29, 2017, Updated July 15, 2020